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Custom Definition of Drug Related Crime Essay

Definition of drug related crime and the relationship between drug use, distribution and other crimes. Drug related crimes refer to violence as a result of drug use. It is common mainly among high school students (Samaha 12). The drugs that are likely to result in crimes include marijuana, cocaine, crack, heroin, inhalants and steroids. Drug use is said to be a criminal activity since it influences the possibility of crime commitment. According to Substance Abuse and Treatment in 1997, about 19% of people jailed in the state prisons they had committed the crimes because they needed money to obtain some drugs.

Various types of drugs and their effects on people, society and the criminal justice system. The main types of drugs used by most criminals are: stimulants such as bhang, cocaine and marijuana. The effect of these drugs is that it makes the user active and less likely to behave normally. For instance, an athlete who uses drugs is able to run very fast, not easily getting tired. The repeated usage of any type of drug results in addiction, so that the user needs more and more of the drug with time. Drug addicts are likely to commit a crime and to break any of the laws. In short, the use of drugs has resulted in the lack of harmony in the society. Subsequently, various laws within the juridical system have been enforced to restore harmony.

The argument that drugs should be legalized and people with drug addictions be treated instead of being prosecuted. According to Professor Ian Gilmore, drug misuse should not be considered as a crime but as a health problem. Professor Gilmore argues that drug users punishment means that if they are not punished, they would continue using the drug. He explains that the money from police services should be used to treat drug related crimes so that the drug trade in is drastically reduced. Thus, people who use drugs should be treated as patients rather than criminals. He further argues that drug abuse is a social crisis and requires social, rather than legal intervention (Card 76).

Current CJS response to drug use and distribution in the U.S. Some of the responses include the shifting of funding priorities by allocating federal anti-drug funds to law enforcement and a small fraction to prevention or treatment (LaFave 54). Another response is that there should be repeal on mandatory testing laws by altering overly harsh sentences on drug offenders. Drug court model is also under expansion and there is an increase in the number of alternative sentencing options when looking for funds for expanded treatment policy.